Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Amphibia
Kingdom Animalia Ø Phylum Chordata Ø Subphylum Vertebrata Ø Class Amphibia
Class Amphibia Ø Ø Ø 1. 2. 3. 4. Amphi = both Bios = lives Examples: salamanders (including newts & efts) caecilians frogs toads
Salamanders (including newts & efts) Tiger salamander
Salamanders (including newts & efts) Jeffersonian salamander
Salamanders (including newts & efts) Eastern Hellbender
Salamanders (including newts & efts) Marbled Salamander
Salamanders (including newts & efts) Red-spotted salamander
Salamanders (including newts & efts) Northern Red salamander
Salamanders (including newts & efts) Axolotl
Salamanders (including newts & efts) Red eft
Caecilians
Frogs
Frogs Leopard frog
Poison Dart Frog
Poison Dart Frog
Poison Dart Frog
Poison Dart Frog
Poison Dart Frog
African clawed frog
Gastric Brooding Frog
Goliath frog
Tomato frog
Flying frog
Toads Boreal toad
Boreal toad
Cane toad
American toad
Surinam Toad (frog? )
General Information Ø 3, 400 species Ø Habitat: l l Adults: terrestrial Sub – adults (larvae): aquatic (freshwater)
Skeleton – Bony Ø Limbs - Tetrapods (“ 4 feet”) l Some legless (Caecilians) l Feet often webbed (for swimming) l Forelimbs usually with 4 digits
Skin Ø Smooth & moist Ø No scales Ø Lungs (most adults) Ø Gills ( tadpoles) Ø Ectothermal – use environment to regulate body temperature
Skin glands Name of gland Function Mucus Prevent dehydration Wax Prevent dehydration Poison Defense Pigment (chromatophores) Defense / Camouflage
Reproduction Ø Dioecious Ø Internal fertilization – salamanders & caecilians Ø External fertilization – frogs & toads
Reproduction Ø Viviparous – eggs must be kept moist Ø Metamorphosis – (usually present) eggs → larvae (sub-adults) → adults
Metamorphosis
Three Orders 1. Order Gymnophiona “naked snake” – caecilians (a. k. a. Apoda) 2. Order Caudata “ having a tail” – salamanders, newts, efts 3. Order Anura “ without tail” – frogs & toads
Order Gymnophiona (caecilians)Ø Rare Ø Limbless Ø Habitat: Burrow in earth, tropical habitats Ø Feeding: worms & small invertebrates
Order Caudata (salamanders, etc. ) Ø Habitat: all moist Northern temperate habitats Ø Feeding: adults & larvae carnivorous (moving prey, small invertebrates) Ø Internal fertilization
Order Anura (frogs & toads) Ø Ø Ø Habitat: 1. adults: terrestrial, moist soil 2. larvae: fresh water Feeding: External fertilization (amplexus) Endangered world-wide Sentinel species: very sensitive to environmental changes ( E. g. uv exposure, water pollution ) due to dependence on moist/ aquatic envmnt.
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